Decluttering Thread 3 - Decluttering on bit at a time

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Just realised we filled up Thread 2 without a way to link to this one, can’t see that anyone else has started one?

I did drop back the borrowed boots, go me!

didn’t tackle the umbrella pot/dumping ground though

Yes, I keep "nice" plastic bags, and get quite upset if DH uses one for something messy/untidy/unsuitable.

@EmmaEmerald I would keep on with the packing, as it always takes longer than you expect!

I made a start on going through the bag of random-size clothing and got rid of three more things - a coat and hoodie to the charity bag (DD didn’t like either of them so rarely wore them) and a pair of leggings to the textile recycling bag.

DH dropped off the two large bottles of bubble mixture to the playgroup, so they’ve left the house.

Tidy, is there anything we could help with/ suggest?

Outs since the weekend:
Bag of old and foreign coins to the charity shop, along with the money boxes they were in
Small pair of binoculars, unused address book, bangle which is not mine to the same charity shop
New cleaning kit for a stainless steel hob (ours is not stainless steel), which was a free gift, passed on to a friend
Some packing boxes and other cardboard passed on to someone on our local FB group.

Quite pleased with that, but still so much to do!

Definitely better to get started on the packing earlier not last minute but it is tough.

busy day here but decluttered an old clarinet reed that was rather decrepit

309+1=309

The painting was collected through Olio , ditto 9 wire baskets but a brand new planter not yet despite the person agreeing a time today . They get a second chance tomorrow but that’s it then have to relist it . I need DH to wipe clean and list the 3 old suitcases , and a few unused dog items , maybe some storage boxes too . We just ordered two more today since they’re a bit smaller than my big one . Water softener people came and found the small hole but need to come back tomorrow to fix it . Next week before our trip it’s the gutters solar panels and skylight getting cleaned . I’ve looked at oven cleaning companies to book since they haven’t been cleaned at all since we moved here except we’ve lined a pan with foil to keep the bottom of it clean and I’ve been cleaning the glass door often .
I am getting rid of some towels since I recently got 3 sets of new ones for me and DH . I did already reduce them earlier .
Also am thinking some old plates and bowls can go since I got some new style ones a while ago we haven’t used at all yet . I need to go through them .

A few things going :
-1 half used scented spray for dogs
-1 dog dry shampoo we didn’t like the smell of
-1 bottle of shampoo to food bank
-1 pair at least of my old flip flops
-1 DD Christmas present bath bombs used up
-2 old wooden spoons
-1 faulty name label cartridge
-2 pairs of DS old sweatpants
-3 old T-shirts
-7 pairs of old socks
-9 old towels to rag bank
-1 box of Christmas chocolates consumed
-1 microfibre rag
-9 wire baskets to Olio ( I know I have some more in the attic DH didn’t find so I’ll have to get rid off them later )
-9 rolls of wrapping paper to charity
-1 planter to Olio
Earmarking some old crockery but will have to have a look and count how much is going
,also possibly a table lamp …

@EllieQ @EmmaEmerald @Pineappleapple

Thank you so much. It's become very difficult to make decluttering decisions because I feel responsible for where they'll end up. I think it's partly guilt at having spent the money in the first place, particularly books, records, magazines.

Part of me could live very happily in a small studio flat, even to the extent of being a (part-time) digital nomad in a motorhome. The other part of me wants to renovate this house to my own tastes and never make another decluttering decision again.

I'm finding it fairly easy to avoid buying more than the absolute essentials. I'm keeping up with household routines and gradually getting the garden in shape.

Books taken to charity shop this morning.
DD1 cleared a massive pile of books etc out today... but they seemed to be claimed by DD2.

Dug an old scooter out of the shed, left outside with a note saying Free but no takers. Will try again tomorrow.

DH is going to an ex rental ski equipment event tomorrow so there will be some "ins" but they are DDs Christmas presents for next year.

The planter collection hasn’t happened yet we’ll give until later tonight then it’ll be relisted. The water softener comp people were a no show too annoyingly then claimed they were due tomorrow not today . Hopefully it’ll get done tomorrow then . I’ve looked up oven cleaning companies , a bit more research and I’ll book it for March . Also thought we’d get the patios and drive way cleaned this spring but need to talk to DH. I’ve put aside the old crockery a few were not in good condition with the glazing but most are and can go to charity so we’ll box them up . Not much more today , am trying to get admin etc done .

Going out :
-1 toilet roll holder without a lid from the attic
-old crockery mainly to charity :
2 little jugs , 8 coffee cup plates , 3 mugs , 4 coffee cups , 3 cereal bowls , 5 side plates , 5 pasta bowls , 2 soup plates
-earmarking more DD pyjamas to go ,she’s suddenly grown a lot , they can all go once I’ve got replacements in ,so far only found nice summer ones for warmer weather and some others are on back order
-4/5 DD sweatpants are going too once I’ve got more bigger ones in , they’re too short as well
-a few manky dog toys I’ll chuck out now after looking through quickly while he’s out …

Might also delve into the larder for more old food since DH will do the fridge before the food order comes tonight ,and DD art drawer I have gotten around to yet …

12.5 years ago I got some wall stickers. Used one pack,never got round to using the other.

Since then, I've moved 6 times, 4 of which were international. The pack of stickers came with me...

They have been decluttered today. DD has used them to decorate her bedroom door (on the inside). It looks lovely.

I'm counting it as an out as I've no longer got a pack of wall stickers doing nothing. I have no idea why I've always kept them. They cost €3.

Recycled one old catalogue. Total is 20

We did DD art drawer after dinner ! I’m so glad I finally opened it and just pulled all of it out since roughly half of is going .i
wasnt pressuring her and she was able to make quite quick decisions after looking a few things through a bit first which is fine .
Out :
-1 set of DS old paints we had for school
-1 set of kids brushes
-1 loose brush
-10 DD half used colouring books , word searches , origami etc
-1 paint by numbers
-1 unused origami set
-1 colouring book
-1 paper planes book all 3 to charity
-1 set of stencils
-1 stack of loose coloured paper
-a bunch of stickers, temporary tattoos , rubbers , a hairband , loose bits of paper etc assorted crap from the bottom of the art drawer
-3 packages of old food from the larder and unfortunately lots from the fridge before putting the food order away tonight

I found 4 manky toys to go although will have to keep his favourite rope toy until a replacement arrives .
Now I’m done with decluttering for tonight and feeling good about it ! The secret is to besides limiting stuff coming in of course to do it daily . When ever you see anything that can go do it right away and also just do a drawer / area here and there regularly don’t just leave it later…

Four items decluttered today - two pairs of DD’s shorts and a pair of her trousers (outgrown), and a Friends notepad (unwanted birthday present from last year) have gone in the charity bag. A good start to February.

I’ve counted up my January decluttering, and I got rid of 32 things (I counted a couple of bags as one item each, but the rest is individual items). About one per day!

I found more of the crockery that had been in the dishwasher so adding it to the to go list :
-2 more mugs
-4 pasta bowls

I gave a big bag of maternity dresses, baby blankets and towels to a pregnant friend, and brought an unopened hand cream to our staff bathroom. Felt good to get rid of bulky items.

At 76 items so far.

@Pigtailsandall I read that as you passed on maternity dresses and you turned 76 🙈
I relisted a load of Olio stuff and someone immediately wanted my books and collection arranged

Just dropped off my 6 bags for the charity shop 🎉

Also sold a pair of ski trousers and a replacement seat fabric for a buggy on eBay - the second one is being posted in one of the 'this'll come in handy' boxes that I hoard .

I've given up counting my items out and might try and aim for getting rid of at least one thing every day instead.

Last work day of the week for me so feeling motivated to clear out a load more stuff over the next couple of days

Recovering from a late, alcoholic night last night.

2 x pairs of old tights into fabric recycling.

have a last and final (hopefully!) skip outside so may feel inspired to start on the old shed as I’m sure there’s some crap in there that needs throwing out as well as some stuff to give away.
the whole shed needs to go as it’s rotten and falling apart. Just need energy and time to tackle it.

@TidyClutterIsStillClutter I would really recommend Dana k white - blog or podcasts. She talks about when you are stuck trying to get rid of things the ideal way. And if you are stuck, just look for rubbish and throw that out. Then look for anything that should obviously be somewhere else or donated. But definitely recommend having a listen.

A few things out today. Do think it gets easier than longer I do this. It's been a while soon. Messaged a charity shop to see if they wanted something bulky I haven't been able to sell and they do. Didn't want the bother of taking it if they wouldn't want it. I find trying to sell something on marketplace helpful as it's easy and if it doesn't go that's my answer.
Also some children's clothes in a bag to be passed on to a friend and some others in a charity bag.

Broken car parts in bin/recycling
Started boxes of toys for charity shop and car boot sale

I took some coins to a coinstar place the other day, I have had bags of coins for ages, some were bagged up properly then the bag came undone so no longer knew how much was in it. Kept meaning to count it but have a toddler and knew they would mess any piles up and I don't have much free time. I know they take some of the money but it was so good to get it gone! Only about £6.
Now I have a bag of about 50p of euros - any ideas what I do with that? Not likely to go abroad any time soon and it feels like passing on the problem to give to someone else going as it's so little money

A bag is currently sitting by the front door so I remember to drop it with a school mum tomorrow. Dds old clothes for her dd. Win.

have cleared some paperwork today from the house. And have managed to declutter my desk at work. Hurrah.

@Pineappleapple Thanks for suggesting Dana K White. I listened to her for a while years ago but then forgot. I temember she was very upbeat and open.

Today I put the bath toys in a smaller container, and put two squirty bottles in recycling bin. Used the larger container in the futility room for all the things that gather in the hotspot on top of the washing machine by the back door. Two empty deodorant cans in recycling.

I hope this posts okay. It's my third attempt tonight!

I'm going to have to join you lot!
I've been lurking for a while now and used to be on the thread a couple of years ago.
I will aim just to do one thing a day. Yesterday I used up a primer that will not be replaced. I have one left that I will use. I did have 4 😳
It's only 3:30pm here so I've not got rid of anything yet today as I'm at work.

Emma I moved a couple of years ago. When we were getting ready to sell I was ruthless in packing the things we really didn't need for a few months. I started with the obvious, which helps to get into a rhythm. I also labeled the boxes really clearly with everything in there so if I did need anything I knew which box it was in. I didn't need anything.

Moving is emotional for sure, we went through all the emotions, it seems. I hope it gets easier for you soon.

tidyclutter I just wrote a long post and bloody lost it. In summary, you’re doing really well, and it will get easier.

I also wrote a long list of 100 or so items I’ve got rid of from dd1s bedroom in the last week - many were binned (knarled, manky sweets that were many years old!)

196/2023